Training my own PPD - Page 1

I have commented several times before on this forum that my 4 year old male Trigger wasn't a very good watch dog. It was more than just not barking, Trigger just didn't seem that concerned about strangers. I thought perhaps he just didn't have it in him, but decided to see if I could work with him anyway.

For months I have been getting Trigger's attention every time I hear a noise or a stranger approaches. I knew by the look in his eye he didn't get it at first. It has been only a few weeks now, but I'm finally seeing a genuine look of concern in his eye, one I've never seen before in 2 years. Trigger has also started "patroling" the inside of the house, listening intently for noises outside. I know this is normal behavior for most shepherds, but wasn't for my boy. Have I finally made a breakthrough? I think I've always been pretty good at reading a dog by the look in their eyes, and Trigger finally has the serious look now of a dog that might protect me.

I'm not teaching Trigger to bite or be aggressive, just pay attention. I think he finally gets it. Also, because I am not strong enough to hold him back, I have drilled it into Trigger's head that even if on on dead run in the opposite direction, he needs to stop on a dime and come back to me. And he does.

Okay, this is probably silliness for you guys, but major progress for me. The same trainer that hit Trigger over the head with a sleeve last year because he didn't know he was suppose to bite it says 4 years old is too old for most dogs to learn anything new. Hopefully I can prove him wrong.

Ok so it it a small breakthrough...that's ok, you were trying to get him to be a little more "aware" of his surroundings and more suspicious.  That's good, but I wouldn't go as far as to say that he "might" protect you just yet. LOL 

4yrs old is not an old dog.  Hell most of em don't mature til their 2 anyways so he's not too old to learn how to do certain things.  Now weather of not he's got the drives and/or genetic make up to do certain things is another story.  If you just want him to be more suspicious then that can be done by continuing to do what you've been doing.  If you want him to bark on command....don't hold your breath if he's just not a barker.  My Agar will not bark on command; he'll bark at the door and at strangers passing or if he hears a noise at night but just to bark for no real reason or cause I tell him to....not happening. LOL  Some dogs just aren't as vocal.  My bitch will sing you a love song if you give her the command but she doesn't charge the door and bark like my male does. Maybe she figures why should I waste my energy when he's got it covered for us?? LOL 

Depending on how much traffic comes through your home will depend on if you can build stronger on his suspicion level IMO.  If he's gotten so used to everyone coming in and loving on him since he was a pup then it's gonna be hard to teach him that now all of a sudden you want him to puff out his chest and make some noise. lol 

I've seen trainers take an older dog with no training and work with it, just depends on the dogs ability.  If it's there it can be taught.

Trigger WILL bark now. He is starting to charge the fence when the fuckwits next door harrass him. He still doesn't bark when the doorbell rings, but I hear a very low growl until he sees who is on the other side. All good.

"The same trainer that hit Trigger over the head with a sleeve last year because he didn't know he was suppose to bite it says 4 years old is too old for most dogs to learn anything new."

ROTFLMAO!!  Honestly, now there's a good example of an idiot who SHOULDN'T be training!! 

Ranger was 3 when I brought him home. He did not respond to either a knock on the door or the doorbell, as he'd never been a house dog, and didn't know what the sounds meant. He now reacts to both. This was the one bit of trainng I needed help with, as someone had to knock on the door, while I encouraged him to bark. It took ONE SESSION to teach this!!  He now barks as soon as he hears someone coming up the porch steps, and will often alert to noises outside which I can't hear. When he does this, I'll look outside, and I'll see, for instance, a strange car parked across the street. He doesn't alert unnecessarily either. He totally ignores our neighbours if they're out shovelling their driveway, or the kids playing basketball, etc.

These dogs can learn ANYTHING if you have the patience, and the skill to teach them.

As we say in Horse training if you have the desire and the animal has the design, then all you need is

PATIENTS

PRACTICE

PERSISTANCE

I guess it depends on how much you are striving for, or wanting Trigger to achieve, to know if you have achieved your Goal. 

Just , like you are doing set one goal at a time.

LOL !!

Should be

PATIENCE

I have seen very docile GSDs that loved everyone, or were aloof, ignoring most visitors or friends, become very protective when there was a true incursion or threat against their master.  I doubt the dog has ever seen something he regarded as a real threat against you on his own turf.  Don't be surprised if the dog has it in him to protect you if the need is real. 

I am referring here to GSDs that are not "spooks" ie that don't cover, shake or run and hide, but those that just are easy going.  However, I also have seen some spooks which can be pretty tough when there is a real threat, although they can be unpredictable "fear biters" too.  Some spooks when hit or kicked can "go off" and surprise you.  Most criminals would never want to face any GSD on his home turf because stories circulate about what can happen with any dog when his owner is threatened or his property is breeched, especially a dog like a GSD.    Sounds like your dog is no spook, just easy going and not easily threatened. The more you work with him, the more he will attempt to please you.  What you don't want is a GSD that will hammer anyone who comes to visit as your visitor.  I know of GSD who were aggressive only once in their whole lives, and when it was needed. My sister had a Lance Grandson who never barked or was aggressive, until that one time someone attempted to enter their tent when camping in a national park.  She was surprised he became very aggressive, barking, baring teeth and ready to bite.

Interesting story, Preston! Lance's lines were known for producing a lot of spooks. Glad to hear that dog came through for her when the chips were down!

Last thing I want is for Trigger to turn into a fear biter. I want to be able to trust that he will know the difference when a neighbor is stopping by to return mail that was put in his box by mistake or someone is there to do me harm. The other night it was the former. The poor guy looked petrified when I opened the door with Trigger at my side, even though he wasn't barking or growling, or wagging his tail either. Trigger stepped out on the porch, sniffed the piece of mail the guy was holding, then peed on a bush next to the porch and came back inside. That's his personality, just seems to take everything in stride. Never seen him cower from anyone.

That trainer needs someone to hit him over the head with the same sleeve he hit the dog with...hes to du mb to be training dogs....or hes got a screw loose...

Its aweful funny that for the last three months Ive been on a hunt thru kennels, ads and people on this database for a male,,obedienced and partially or fully titled.....the thing I heard over and over from many who just brought a 2-3 year old male over from Germany, was that we hadnt started bite work yet...He has his BH and working and ready for his schutzhund 1  ....must be some too old to work or learn anything coming here from Europe then.....Hogwash.....find yourself another club or trainer...

Triode girl :  go to the thread that I just put up lllll   What do you all think   and when Its run for a while  I will explain why that thread for critique is up there........and then you will understand   why I said what I said here and why I put that thread up .....